Aunjanue L. Ellis to Star in ‘The Nickel Boys’ Adaptation; RaMell Ross To Direct For MGM, Plan B – CNET – ApparelGeek

Oscar nominee Aunjanue L. Ellis (King Richard) should play in The Nickel Boysan adaptation of the novel of the same name by Colson Whitehead, which will be directed by RaMell Ross.

The Nickel Boys is set in Jim Crow-era Florida and centers on two boys wrongfully sentenced to a brutal reform school. Orion Pictures, Plan B Entertainment and MGM’s Anonymous Content will produce the film adaptation, which will also star Ethan Herisse, Brandon Wilson, Hamish Linklater and Fred Hechinger.

Oscar nominee Joslyn Barnes of Louverture Films, who will write the screenplay for the film version with Ross, is also set to produce, while Whitehead will serve as executive producer.

“It is an honor to work with such talented people and to trust such an incredibly written story, with historical roots. I am constantly impressed by the passion and creativity of everyone who drives this project forward,” director Ross said in a statement.

Ellis gave an Oscar-nominated ride as Serena and Venus Williams’ mother, Oracene Price, in last year’s biopic King Richard. His upcoming projects include the new film version of The color purple, the supremes at Earl’s All-You-Can-Eat and Delivery. Ellis is a two-time Emmy nominee for her portrayal of Sharone Salaam in When they see usand for his role in Lovecraft Country.

Herisse portrayed Yusef Salaam in the Emmy nominated film When they see us with additional credits for Chicago Med, Big Time Rush and About a boy. Wilson’s previous credits include Gavin O’Connor The way back and Murmur by director Mark Polish.

Linklater, known as an actor, screenwriter and director, recently appeared in the Apple TV+ limited series Manhunt, angelyne and the Watergate Anthology On gas. Hechinger recently completed production on Hell of a summer, and will also appear in the next pale blue eye and Crossing the butcher.

Documentary by director Ross Hale county this morning, tonight was nominated for an Oscar and an Emmy, and won a Special Jury Prize at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival. Whitehead’s The Nickel Boys received the 2020 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction, his second Pulitzer after a win for The Underground Railroadthe 2016 Civil War-era novel.

The Nickel Boys the adaptation marks Plan B Entertainment’s second collaboration with Whitehead following the limited series adaptation of The Underground Railroad for Amazon Prime Video.

Ellis is replaced by UTA and TMT Entertainment Group. Herrise is replaced by Clear Talent Group and Stagecoach Entertainment. Wilson is replaced by A3 Artists Agency and Seven Summits Pictures & Management.

Linklater is replaced by CAA and Untitled Entertainment. Hechinger is replaced by A3 Artists Agency and Brillstein Entertainment Partners.